Coming July 1st: A New Idea for Buying Used Cars with Confidence in Vermont
🚘 What Changes are Coming
Starting July 1, 2025, there's a small but important change happening for anyone buying a used car from a licensed dealer in Vermont. Thanks to a law called Act 165, dealerships offering used cars for sale in Vermont will be required to include a used vehicle inspection disclosure form with every used car sale. This isn't just another piece of paper-but a step toward making car buying more transparent and consumer-friendly.
At Central Vermont Auto Mart, we're excited about the change. In fact, we've already been working with VADA (Vermont Automotive and Distributors Association) and reaching out to state officials about the form to insure we are ready for the July 1, 2025, implementation. This form together with understanding how Vermont's AVIP inspection report portal works can assist buyers when shopping for a used vehicle in Vermont.
Let's break down what this new requirement means for you-and how you can use the AVIP system to become an even more informed buyer.
🔍 What Is AVIP and Why Should You Care?
AVIP stands for Automated Vehicle Inspection Program, and it's a digital system the State of Vermont has used for a little over 7 years now. Every time a licensed inspection station completes a Vermont state inspection, the results are logged directly into the AVIP system.
The best part? You can access this information yourself. Just head to 👉 Vermont's public AVIP portal.
There, you can enter the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of any vehicle that was inspected in Vermont and see, when it was last inspected, where it was inspected, whether it passed or failed, and If it failed, why.
This provides another tool you can use, should you want to explore when the vehicle was last inspected, without even having to venture to the dealership to check out the inspection status.
💡 Look Beyond the Most Recent Pass
Most vehicles on a dealer's lot have already passed a Vermont state inspection. But AVIP lets you dig a little deeper. Maybe the car failed before passing-was it for brakes? Tires? A failed shock or strut? Knowing what failed gives you some insight into what the vehicle needed before it was cleared for sale. If those issues were properly addressed, you're buying a vehicle that's been through meaningful repairs, not just a polish and shine.
🧰 Why Our Technicians Love AVIP, Too
Here's something you might not know-AVIP isn't just for customers. Our technicians use it every day.
AVIP uses a menu-driven system that guides our technicians through each inspection step. That helps ensure:
Nothing important is missed, by providing a detailed list of items to check
All items required to be inspected are checked consistently
Inspection results are clear and easy to share
We appreciate that AVIP helps us streamline and add consistency to the inspection process. It is also a great tool to be able to show customers the outcome of a vehicle inspection and includes any recalls that show not completed according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records.
📝 What the New Form Will Contain
The new Dealer Used Vehicle Inspection Disclosure form mandated by Act 165 will summarize:
- If the vehicle has a valid certificate of inspection, what month and year was it last inspected and when the next inspection will be due. It will also require the selling dealer to disclose if they inspected it or some other inspection location
or,
- If the vehicle is being sold without an inspection sticker, with an expired inspection sticker, or with an inspection sticker from another state. Also, the buyer will be reminded that if they register this vehicle in Vermont, it must be inspected by an Official Inspection Station within 15 days of registration.
- A summary of the vehicle being purchased and spots for both the dealer and buyers to acknowledge the disclosures being given.
While the final version of the form is not yet available to share, it is expected to be released by DMV shortly, allowing dealers in the state sufficient time to program the new form and ensure it is ready by the July 1, 2025, deadline for implementation.
🛒 Why This Makes Shopping at CVAM Even Better
We've always believed that transparency builds trust. Now, this new requirement helps supplement an important point that some customers have reported confusion to the state over the years. It builds on what we've done for years:
✅ Clearly makes sure a customer understands the current state inspection status for the used vehicle being purchased
✅ Explains to a customer when the next state inspection will be required if the register it in Vermont
✅ Helps buyers make confident decisions
✅ Eliminates possible expectations around the next inspection
If you're researching used cars for sale in Montpelier, Barre, or anywhere in Vermont, our team is ready to help you understand everything behind the car-not just what's under the hood.
🚗 Shop Smarter with Tools Like AVIP and CVAM's Team
This small change in state law is a win for both buyers and sellers. Vermont's AVIP system already puts data at your fingertips, and starting July 1st, we'll provide you with even more disclosure, to build trust and value in your investment.
Thinking about your next car? Want to know how to read an AVIP report? Just ask! We're happy to help walk you through it.
And when you're looking for a great used car and ready to invest in reliable transportation, remember at Central Vermont Auto Mart, just like you, the only surprises we want are the good ones.
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Published April 20, 2025
